FORMAL EMAIL 1NI

Getting started How would you start and end an email to: Language How would you start and end an email to: a friend? your teacher? Someone you’ve never met?

Choose from the greetings below. Hi (+ first name), Dear Sir/madam, (first name) Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (+surname), (full name) Love, Yours faithfully, Best regards,

Check your answers. To a friend To somebody you’ve never met Hi (+ first name), Dear Sir/madam, Love, Yours faithfully, First name Full name Somebody you don’t know very well Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms surname), Best regards,

Informal email Which of the following phrases would be appropriate in an informal e-mail? Decide in pairs. Which can you use to start / end your e-mail?

An email Can’t wait to hear from you. I’m writing to complain about … Hi! How are you? Write back soon. Thanks for your letter. I look forward to hearing from you. end formal start end end formal

Formal email Style Work in small groups. Have you ever done an English course in an English- speaking country? Talk about your experience and ideas. If you haven’t, would you like to? Why / Why not?

Task Imagine you are going to do a summer course called “English with Sport” in Belfast, in Northern Ireland. Write about six questions you would like to ask about the course and the school. How many hours a week will I study? Is the school big or small?

Read Pepa’s email about the course and compare. Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me? First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave? Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening? As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation? I hope you can answer my questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Pepa Martinez

Register Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me? First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave? Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening? As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation? I hope you can answer my questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Pepa Martinez Find examples of language that show that this email is polite and/or formal. e.g. concerning the sports.

Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me? First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave? Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening? As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation? I hope you can answer my questions. I Best wishes Pepa Martinez look forward to hearing from you.

Format Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me? First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave? Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening? As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation? I hope you can answer my questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Pepa Martinez Formal writing is well organised. What is the main topic of each paragraph.

1. opening 2. reason 3. academics 4. sports 5. accommodation Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to do a course in “English with Sport” this summer. I am interested in visiting Northern Ireland and your college seems ideal for me. I have found a lot of information I need from your website, but I still have some questions. Would you mind answering them for me? First of all, if I stayed for four weeks, how many teachers would I have? Are there any exams at the end of the course? Could you tell me if I will get a certificate from the college before I leave? Concerning the sports, I am especially interested in horse riding. Can I do this every afternoon and does the cost include everything? Also, is tennis available in the evening? As I mentioned, I am keen on coming to Belfast and I would like to live with a local family. However, what would happen if I am not happy with the family? Would I be able to change accommodation? I hope you can answer my questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Pepa Martinez 1. opening 2. reason 3. academics 4. sports 5. accommodation 6. closing 7. name

TASK Work with a partner. Imagine you want to go to New York to do an English course. Look at the following advert and write a formal email to the academy, asking some questions about the course, school, etc.

MANHATTAN LANGUAGE ACADEMY Learn English in the heart of the Big Apple – the city that never sleeps. General English classes, all levels, all nationalities. Small sizes guaranteed. Amazing modern facilities – all you need to study. Special afternoon options include: Business English, film-making, team sports, American musicals. Full programme of social activities. Weekend trips available. Accommodation service available.